Spindle unit



oct. 2s, 1949.

uw" I.

Patented-Oer. 25, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPINDLE UNIT JosephPaul Laird, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application Aulllst 15, 1947, Serial No. 768,739

` (ci. sos-152) 5 Claims. l

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in spindle umts andhas for an object to provide a unit wherein the spindle and the bobbin,either full or empty, can find a new center of rotation, since theentire spindle inner shell can adjust itself in the spindle base toaccommodate any out-of-center condition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a unit that can also shiftto accommodate any outof-balance of the bobbin or yarn, partly due tothe compressibility of a neoprene" or polychloroprene washer that ismounted slightly above the roller bearing, also mounted near the neck ofthe spindle.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a spindle in whichthere is a wrapping of a steel or brass sheet to form a vibrationdampening means between the outer casing and the inner shell of thespindle unit.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a dampening meanswherein there is a wrapping of a steel or brass sheet formed with aplurality of coils, and wherein oil is to be absorbed into the steelsheet laminations in such a manner as to cause the coils to expand.Thus, if there are six or seven coils there will be ve or sixlaminations which will be oil-coated; and, inasmuch as each wrapping oreach turn of the laminated sheet is continuous, they will expand orcontract to a certain degree, depending upon the thickness of the lm ofoil between each layer, which, of course, in turn depends on theviscosity of the cil.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a maximum dampeningof the vibration by using a continuous roll of shim steel in place ofseparate bushings between the inner shell and the casing of the spindleunit bolster. The oil between the coils or laminations will cause thecoil spring to expand and thus provide a constant pressure between theinner shell and the casing, and thus provide the desired dampening Stillanother object of the invention is to pro vide a dampening meansconsisting of a plurality of coils that extend substantially throughoutthe length of the entire spindle bolster; and

to further provide the base in which the spindle l is mounted to bearagainst a steel spring which in turn contacts with a curved steel platethat can swing on an arcuate bottom of the casing, so that any tendencycaused by the unbalance of4 the load to throw the lower part of thespindle out of center will cause this plate to slide up on the radius toincrease spring pressure, and returning the spindle to its normal centerof rotation.

Still another object of the invention is, rst, to provide a unit whereinsubstantially the entire length of the inner shell of the spindle unitis surrounded by numerous coils of shim steel between which coils willbe a film of oil; second, to further place the spindleunder transversecompression; and, third, provide a frictional means at the base of theunit to thus add a frictional dampening means to the coils and oildampening means.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certainnew and novel arrangements and combination of parts as will be hereaftermore fully described and pointed out in the claims.

Referring now to the drawings, showing a preferred embodiment,

Fig. 1 is a vertical, sectional view of the assembled spindle unit,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 toshow the plurality of convolutions of the dampening spring, and

Fig. 3 is a sectional' view taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the several views, and, for themoment to Fig. 1, there is shown the assembled unit, which consists ofthe outer cylindrical cast iron casing I, and it is to be noticed thatthe inner bottom surface 2 is concave, the purpose of which will be setout as the specication proceeds.

Mounted within this outer casing I with suicient clearance for a springto be hereinafter mentioned is what I term the shell 3, the internaldiameter of which is slightly enlarged at its neck as at 4 so that theroller bearing 5 may be mounted therein. The extreme upper -end of theshell 3 is bent or crimped downwardly and inwardly as at 6 topermanently secure this roller bearing 5 within the shell 3. In asimilar manner the lower end of the shell 3 has its internal diameterslightly enlarged at 1 so that the lower frictional bearing 8 may alsobe mounted in the shell 3. Likewise, the extreme lower end of the shellasat 9 is crimped inwardly to thus secure.

lng 8 there will be noticed the vertical oil passageway I4 which isconnected by the transverse oil passageway I5 so that oil may always bepresent on the bearing seat I2.

Still referring to the bearing 8, it is also grooved vas at I6 toreceive the lower ends 9 of the shell 3; and is also slightly reduced asat II so that the coil spring I8 may seat about the reduced portion,while the lower end of the spring will rest on the plate I9, which isreduced as at 20, and rides on the arcuate surface 2 of theaforementioned outer casing I.

This plate I9 is also rounded or dome-shaped on its bottom as at 2| tocorrespond with the curvature 2 at the bottom of the casing I.

Mounted at the upper end of the inner casing or shell 3 and bearingagainst the crimped upper edge thereof Ii is the metal collar 23 withits lower flange 24; and mounted about this collar 23 and resting on theflange 24 is the neoprene washer 25 over which lits the metal disc 25,the disc also, of course, being mounted over the collar 23.

To hold this "neoprene washer 25 in place and tightly against the upperVend 6 of the shell 3 is a split ring 21 which fits in the appropriategroove 28 formed in the inner surface of the outer casing I, as may beclearly seen.

Thus the spring I8 compressed against the bronze bearing 8 will hold theinner shell 3 tightly against the neoprene washer 25.

As far as the specication has proceeded, it will be seen that there isthe inner casing or shell 3 in which in turn there is a roller bearing 5at its top and a frictional bearing 8 at its bottom and a coil spring I8forcing the inner shell 3 up against the ilxed neoprene washer 25.

At the top of the outer casing I is the whorl 29 through which thespindle blade I0 passes.

Now, referring to one of the principal features of the invention,it'will be noticed that between the inner shell 3 and the inner surfaceof the outer casing I I provide a wrapping of a-steel or brass sheet 30.This spring should be approximately .002" (View of an inch) thick and Ihave found that approximately seven and a half turns or coils of thespring will give the desired results, if the distance between the innerand outer shell is at least one-thirty-second of an inch (/a2") orlarger, which will vary according to the amount of dampening required.

The coils will separate at least .001" (l/iooo of an inch) so that sevenand a half coils will give approximately .0071/2" (m5/moo of an inch)movements in either direction, or an overall possibility of .015"(l5/woo of an inch) between the inner shell 3 and the inner surface ofthe outer casing I. The distance, however, between the inner shell 3 andthe inner surface of the outer casing I is approximately 9&2".

It will be understood that the space between the coils will be filledwith oil, and where a continual roll of shim steel is used in place ofseparate bushings, pressure can be exerted by expansion of the oil illmVbetween the sheets.. Off] course, the amount of pressure exertedfcan be"controlled by the number offwrapplngs'wlthin the j fixed space. f Y g-In this type of spindle unit thedlaineter of each wrapping or coil canexpand when the oil is placed inside of the spindle casing and causeeach wrapping to expand to a point where the entire unit will be heldunder oil pressure, thus getting a considerable vibration-dampeningpossibility, which is not possible in the xed diameter type of bushingswhere the oil film could not vexpand beyond particular limits imposed bya fixed sleeve.

It will be understood also too many wrappings of -the steel sheet 3l!ymight cause too much pressure and might even tend to increase vibration,but with the correct amount of coils or wrappings this is controlled, sothat the vibration caused by the unbalanced package on a spindle bladecould readily be absorbed by the plurality of oil films between thewrappings.

I consider the arrangement shown superior to a fixed diameter sleeve, asthere will be less movement or looseness in my type than in one with thefixed diameter.

Again, by providing a coil 30, as shown, the lower part of the'spindleblade I0 can adjust itself to a new position and move temporarilyfurther out of line than the upper part, since -these coils or sleevescan expand, say, more on the lower side of the spindle at the bottom andto a. lesser amount on the opposite side of the spindle at the top. Inother words, the present arrangement is a full floating spindle, yet,due to the internal pressure created by the expanding film of oil, itwill be held more restrained in the spindle base.

It will also be noticed that this wrapping of shim steel or brass 30extends the entire length of the inner shell 3, which tends to providefor a more even and smooth-running spindle.

It will be understood that the unit is assemled in the dry state, thatis, without oil; but after oil is placed in the assembly for lubricatingpurposes, it will be absorbed between the steel sheet laminations insuch a manner as to cause them to expand laterally. The expansion ofthis coil 30 would vary according to the viscosity of the oil; but inany case there vwill be a fllm of oil between adjacent wrappings orturns of the laminated spring 30 which, being continuous, will expand orcontract depending upon the quantity of oil between each layer, which inturn depends upon the viscosity of the oil.

Furthermore, the plate I9 in the bottom of the casing I, which, it willbe remembered, is held under spring pressure, will exert more pressureon the spring in any other than a cen-trai position.

Therefore, any tendency caused by the unbalance of the load to throw thelower pmt of the spindle blade I0 off-center will cause this plate I9 toride up on the radius, resulting in increased spring-pressure, andreturning the spindle to its normal center of rotation.

In other words, if the spindle and its load were in perfect balance,this plate I9 under spring pressure would find its seat at the lowestpoint of the radius, thus exerting the least springpressure, underconditions of perfect balance.

On the other hand, for the spindle to move out of center will increasethe spring-pressure, which in turn will provide additional dampeningmeans.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have seance provided a spindleunit wherein .the spindle is a full floating one. unit are a'n upper anda lower bearing, which in turn are mounted in a shell, which shell iltsrwithin the outer casing, leaving an annular space Included in thespindle with oil to thus provide a dampening eilect for any vibrationcaused by the spindle being out of center, due to the off-centerldisplacement oi the mass on the spindle blade.

Finally, it will be seen that besides the dampening eilect provided bythe oil illled laminations between the coils of the spring, I haveprovided a frictional arrangement at the bottom of the casing to assistin the dampening of the vibrations.

Thus, there is provided a full floating spindle that can shift laterallythroughout its vertical axis rather than being pivoted at its upperportion. Also, the spindle is held under compression substantiallytransversely throughout its length.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: l

1. In a full iioating spindle unit, an outer casing, an inner shell.bearings mounted at the upper and lower ends of said shell, a spindlemounted in said bearings, a resilient washer mounted in said outercasing against which the upper end of said shell bears, a spring at thelower end of said casing tor holding the shell the convolutions of thespring adapted to receive oil to provide a vibration dampening effectthroughout the length of the shell and its spindle` 2. In a fullfloating spindle unit, an outer casing, an inner shell normally disposedconcentrically within said casing, a roller bearing mounted at the upperend of `said shell, a frictional bearing mounted at the lower end ofsaid shell, a spindle mounted in said bearings, an elastic washermounted in said outer casing against which the upper end of the shellbears. a spring in the lower end of the casing for holding the :shellupwardly against said washer, a relatively thin sheet metal springhaving a plurality of convolutions interposed between the shell and thesaid casing, the said spring extending` substantially throughout theentire A length ot the said shell,- and the space between theconvolutions of the spring adapted to receive oil to provide a dampenlngeffect throughout the length of the shell and its spindle.

3. In a full iloating spindle unit. an outer casing, an inner shell.bearings mounted in said shell, a spindle mounted in said bearings, au

elastic washer mounted in said outer casing in contact with the upperend of the shell, the inner bottom of the outer casing being arcuate, anarcuate plate mounted in said bottom, a spring extending between thelower bearing of the shell and said plate, a relatively thin sheet metalspring having a plurality of convolutions interposed between the shellandthe casing, the said spring extending substantially throughout theentire length of said shell, the space between the convolutions of thespring adapted to retain Y oil to provide a vibration dampening eiectfor the spindle, and the spring and the arcuate plate in the bottom ofthe casing adapted to assist in returning the spindle to its normalcenter of rotation from that assumed by the spindle due to an unbalancedload.

4. In a spindle unit, an outer casing, a full oating inner casing, aspindle rotatably mounted within the inner casing, a resilient washer incontact withthe upper end ofthe inner casing, bearings in said innercasing, a spring-pressed fr lctional means bearing against the bottom ofone of said bearings for holding the inner casing upwardly and to assistin retaining the spindle in its true central axial position, and sheetspring means also interposed between the inner shell and outer casingadapted to retain an oil lm between the convolutions to thus provide avibration dampening effect for the spindle due to any unbalanced load onthe spindle.

5. In a spindle unit, an outer casing, a full floating inner casing, aspindle rotatably mounted within the inner casing, a resilient washermounted in the outer casing and in contact with the upper end of theinner casing, an upper and lower bearing in said inner casing, the lowerbearing provided with passageways to admit oil to the seat of saidbearing, a spring-pressed frictional means bearing against the bottom ofone of said bearings for holding the inner casing upwardly and to assistin retaining the spindle in its true central axial position, and sheetspring means also interposed between the inner shell and outer casingadapted to retain an oil nlm between the convolutions to thus provide avibration dampening eiiect for the spindle due to any unbalanced load onthe spindle.

JOSEPH PAUL LAIRD.

REFERENCES CITED The, following references are oi record in the file ofthis patent:

